UPDATE: Formal charges filed on two from Cass County for stealing from Osceola Cheese

Keith Richey

On July 12, criminal summonses were issued for Keith Richey, 59, Pleasant Hill, and Billie Blackburn, 47, Peculiar, charging them with class D misdemeanor stealing-value less than $150. Arraignment on the charges is set for Aug. 4 in the St. Clair County Courtroom.

The charges stem from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office investigation on July 7 when deputies took a stealing report at Osceola Cheese. Chris Hannah, owner of Osceola Cheese, advised a male and female subject stole several items then left the store. A female employee of Osceola Cheese jumped onto a trailer being towed by the suspect’s vehicle. 

She was able to get off the trailer without injury and several other employees attempted to block the vehicle from leaving the parking lot. The suspect vehicle was able to get past the employees and fled to the Countryside Trading Post on the opposite side of the Highway 13. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Richey, allegedly made admission to stealing beef sticks from the store. 

 Billie Blackburn

During the investigation a one pound block of pepperoni cheese, one pound block of seven year cheddar cheese, a jar of honey Dijon mustard, a jar of Beaver brand sweet honey mustard, and one beef/cheese stick combo were located in Richey’s vehicle. A package of 45 beef sticks was recovered after being thrown from the vehicle as it was leaving the parking lot. 

The value of the items was estimated at $55. The two were taken into custody and later released pending the formal charge.